If that's the case, his wife, Beyonce, would be a fine example – after getting her start in singing with Destiny's Child, the star has appeared in leading roles in films such as "Dream Girls" and this year's "Obsessed" while maintaining a successful solo musical career. And Jay wouldn't be the only rapper to make the jump to Hollywood — a number of hip-hop stars, ranging from Common to Mos Def to Ludacris, have made an impact on the silver screen in recent years.

"I want it to be something that's really important," Jay-Z said. "Hopefully when I arrive [in Hollywood], I can leave a footprint."